Bill Harper passed away on Thursday, March 7, at the Hampton Veterans Administration Palliative Care Unit. He had suffered from breathing issues caused by "Burn Pit Syndrome" contracted from his service in Desert Shield/Desert Storm while serving in the US Army. For almost two years, Bill had been a resident of Beth Shalom in Virginia Beach where he received outstanding care for his condition. Recently, he was transferred to the Hampton VA where again he received superb medical care during his brief stay there.

Bill was a resident of Hampton for the past 12 years, relocating here following his retirement from the US Postal Service in Mississippi. He previously was given an honorable discharge from the US Army in 2003.

Bill was born in Greenville, Mississippi, on October 31, 1951. He was the third child and second son of Robert Ray Harper, Sr and Gladys Broomhall Harper. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1969 and attended Delta State University on a football scholarship for one year. Growing up, Bill was a stellar athlete, excelling in baseball and football. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and anything related to college sports. While at Delta State, he met his future wife, Jane Elizabeth Kerr. He and Jane married in 1973 and had two children, Holly Janelle and William Matthew.

Bill worked with Shippers Express, a transportation company in Mississippi, following his time at Delta State. Bill was a member of the Mississippi National Guard for several years, later enlisting in the US Army. He served a total of 18 years in uniform before being medically retired in 2003. He is remembered by his fellow soldiers as an outstanding mentor and role model. He then worked as a Defensive Driving Instructor and mail carrier for the US Postal Service in Mississippi. Upon retirement from the US Postal Service, Bill relocated to Hampton where his older brother lived.

Bill leaves behind his two children, Holly Janelle McNeal (Michael) and William Matthew Harper (Stevie), two granddaughters, Alyssa Marie Harper and Braelyn Isabelle Harper, living in Mississippi, as well as his older brother,Bob Harper, a resident of Hampton. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Ray Harper, Sr. and Gladys Broomhall Harper, his sister Elizabeth Lee Harper Blake, and a granddaughter, Kendal Reagan Harper. Bill had many friends. Whether from his life in Mississippi or from his time in service, Bill made lifelong friends who mourn his passing. He will be dearly missed by them and his family.

Bill was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Hampton and a Celebration of Life service will be held there on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 10 AM.  Bill will be interred in a family burial plot in Braxton, Mississippi, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to a favorite charity.